PWSA identifies aging or undersized water mains throughout our service area on an annual basis.
Every year, PWSA will replace anywhere from 6-12 miles of aging water mains throughout the water service area. As we replace water mains, we will replace hundreds of lead water service lines, improving water quality for many of our customers. Work will take place in nine different neighborhoods throughout the PWSA water service area. Those who will have a water main on their street replaced will received a packet in the mail detailing the lead service line replacement process that may occur at their property. The PWSA Lead Help Staff will work with residents who have lead lines to replace them at no direct cost.
How is a water main replaced?
A typical water main and service line entering a property.
The process to replace a water main begins in the design process, when engineers survey the work area to determine exactly which materials and methods will be needed to complete the work. They will take exact measurements of the street and take survey samples of the soil to draw up construction plans. After these plans are turned over to the construction team, work can begin.
Crews will start the process by going to each property and inspecting the service line material at every property attached to the old water main. This will help determine which sites have lead service lines that need replaced.
After verification, crews will begin to lay down the new water main. The old water main will be left in place. During water main replacement, residents can expect to see no-parking signs on their street during this work.
The next step of the process is to run new service lines from the new water main. All publicly-owned service lines, regardless of material, will be replaced. At this point, any private lead service lines that were found will be replaced to avoid potentially harmful partial lead line replacements.
The final step of the project is restoration of streets and sidewalks. You can expect a delay between the completion of your service line replacement and restoration activities.
Where will work occur?
Three PWSA contractors will have crews working in the following neighborhoods throughout our service area. Click on your neighborhood to see where water mains will be replaced:
Current Water Main Replacement Neighborhoods
Squirrel Hill
For more information, visit the project page.
Brighton Heights
For more information, visit the project page.
Marshall Shadeland
For more information, visit the project page.
Elliott
For more information, visit the project page.
Questions?
Visit the neighborhood project pages for more information on construction progress or contact Construction Communications Project Manager, Mora McLaughlin, at 412-689-4137 or at mmclaughlin@pgh2o.com.
For lead service line replacement-related questions, contact the Lead Help Desk at 412-255-8987 or email LeadHelp@pgh2o.com.